Career Opportunity

Firefighter-San Francisco Fire Department (H002)

Recruitment: REF23387Y

Published: May 09, 2023

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About:

Established in 1866, the San Francisco Fire Department is rich in tradition and history. From the Great Earthquake and Fire of 1906 to the Loma Prieta Earthquake of 1989, the Department has grown to meet the many challenges along the way. Today, the San Francisco Fire Department serves an estimated 1.5 million people, providing fire suppression, fire prevention and emergency medical services to the residents, visitors and workers within San Francisco's 49 square miles.

Role description

Under general supervision, an H002 Firefighter engages in firefighting and related activities for the saving of life and property; administers first responder treatment, including first aid; and responds to a variety of emergency situations involving public safety and medical care. A Firefighter also may be assigned duties in connection with fire prevention activities, including the inspection of businesses, schools, and homes to ensure fire safety; maintaining station quarters; and performing other duties as assigned. Firefighters are required to work 24-hour shifts, including weekends and holidays. During those shifts, a Firefighter lives and works in close quarters with three or more individuals at a fire station. A Firefighter must cooperate and work effectively with the other members of his or her team.

How to qualify

Eligibility Requirements (verified during Background Investigation):

• Age: Applicants must be at least 19 years old at the time of application and must be at least 20 years old at the time of appointment. [Civil Service Rule 310.15]
• Education: Applicants must have a high school diploma or an equivalency certificate (e.g., G.E.D., California High School Proficiency Certificate) to apply.
• Driving Record: Applicants must possess a valid driver license with seven years driving record verified during Background Investigation. Applicants must possess a valid Class A, B, or C California Driver License by the time of their appointment. Applicants will not be considered eligible to participate or to be appointed if any of the following occurred, or is in effect at any time, during the period from “one year prior to application up to the date of appointment”: 
  (a) Any offense that subsequently results in a conviction for driving under the influence, reckless driving, or hit and run with personal injury or property damage over $25.00; or any offense that occurred within a three-year period prior to appointment.  
  (b) License suspension or revocation, three moving violations in 12 months, 5 moving violations in 24 months, or probation as a result of a driving-related offense.  
   
  [Note: Applicants who proceed to the Background Investigation phase of the selection process must provide on their background forms a full and complete listing of all motor vehicle violations. Any significant discrepancy between an applicant's statement and the Department of Motor Vehicles’ records will result in disqualification.] 
   
• Criminal Record: Applicants must not have been convicted of a felony in this state, or in any other state or in any federal or other jurisdiction, of an act that would be considered a felony if committed in this state. Applicants must not have been on probation for a misdemeanor offense from one year prior to application through the time of appointment. Convictions for misdemeanors within one year prior to application will be evaluated individually and may result in disqualification.
  
  [Note: Applicants who proceed to the Background Investigation phase of the selection process must provide on their background forms a full and complete listing of all convictions. Applicants must disclose if they have ever been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor offense in California or in any other state or place, including entering a plea of nolo contendere or no contest, and including any conviction which has been expunged (set aside) under Penal Code Section 1203.4.]

What else should I know?

SELECTION PROCEDURES:

1) Written Exam (Pass/Fail)
For this recruitment, applicants may use either the a) Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) Written Test or the b) FireTEAM Testing System administered by the National Testing Network (NTN).  Either exam is pass/fail with the minimum scores posted below.

 a) Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) Written Test
The FCTC Written Test was developed by the California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee (Cal-JAC).

The FCTC Written Exam is a 100 question, multiple choice test consisting of the following four sections:

• Section 1 – Recall and Comprehend Verbal and Visual Information. This section requires candidates to watch two short videos and answer questions based on the scenarios presented.
• Section 2 – Apply Mechanical Reasoning
• Section 3 – Solve Mathematical Problems
• Section 4 – Recall and Comprehend Technical Information from Written Materials

The FCTC Written Test is administered at minimum quarterly. Additional tests will be added as needed, so check this website frequently. FCTC does not administer online tests. 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW A SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING TEST DATES

Candidates demonstrating financial hardship may apply for financial aid for the testing process. Visit https://www.fctconline.org/candidates/financial-hardship/ for more information.

Scores will be added to a candidate's FCTC record within one week of the test date.  Candidates must achieve a minimum passing score of 70%.  The Public Safety Team will obtain candidate scores from FCTC.

b)  FireTEAM Testing System (NTN)
There are four components to the FireTEAM Testing System: video-based human relations, mechanical aptitude, math, and reading ability. The passing scores are:

· Human Relations: 75
· Mechanical Aptitude: 60
· Math: 70
· Reading Ability: 80

Candidates must pass each test independently. The scores are not averaged. The Public Safety Team will notify applicants of their pass/fail status after receipt of their “FireTEAM” test scores from NTN.

To register visit: https://nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/search.cfm?position=2&state=All+States

You will need to establish an account with NTN. A fee is required to take the FrontLine National examination. Candidates with demonstrated financial hardship may submit a request to have the fee waived prior to test registration. See “Candidate FAQ #27” on the NTN website (https://www.nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/faqs.cfm) to learn more on how to apply for a fee waiver.

Candidates that attain passing scores on the a) Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) Written Test or the b) FireTEAM Testing System administered by the National Testing Network (NTN) will be invited to an Oral Interview.

2) Oral Interview (100%)
The Oral Interview will assess the candidate’s knowledge and awareness of San Francisco’s diverse communities, and the candidate’s interest and motivation for public service and public safety. The Oral Interview will also assess for knowledge and competency around diversity, equity and inclusion issues not tested by other examination components.  The Oral Interview score will be used to place candidates on the eligible list. 
Eligible List Rankings
Candidates will be notified via email of their oral interview results. Those who do not pass may request another opportunity to re-interview no sooner than 3 months from their previous attempt.

In accordance with Civil Service Commission Rule 311.11.1, candidates may appeal the administration of the examination components. All appeals must be filed in writing with the Department of Human Resources within seven (7) calendar days of the administration of the examination component giving rise to the appeal. A day that the Department of Human Resources is closed shall not be counted as the seventh (7th) calendar day.  Appeals shall be limited as defined in Rule 311.11.1.

Candidates must pass each of the selection components unless otherwise noted on the announcement. The Department reserves the right to waive selection components for individuals based on prior experience or certification.

3)  Emergency Medical Technician Certification
Candidates must possess a current, valid EMT - 1 Certification (EMT-1) issued by the State of CA to be placed on the eligible list. Possession of a current, valid CA Paramedic license [in good standing] may be provided in lieu of the EMT certification. Verification of this certificate must be sent via email to DHR-PublicSafety@sfgov.org. Candidates must be able to accredit with the local EMS Authority within the one-year probationary period. Candidates who currently hold an EMT-1 certificate issued by the National Registry may find information about transferring EMT certification to CA at https://emsa.ca.gov/EMT/

The following website provides information about EMT certification programs in the State of California: https://emsa.ca.gov/training_programs/

ELIGIBLE LIST / CERTIFICATION RULE:
Candidates that pass both test components (i.e., Written Exam and Oral Interview) and possess a valid EMT - 1 Certification (EMT-1) issued by the State of CA will have their names added to the eligible list. Candidate names will remain on the list for a maximum period of 24 months. The San Francisco Fire Department has the option to hire any candidate on the eligible list (“Rule of List”). Therefore, placement on this list neither guarantees nor implies that you will be offered employment. The San Francisco Fire Department will administer the remaining processes outlined below to determine who shall advance further in the hiring process and be considered for appointment.

Eligibles may refuse consideration for temporary or permanent appointment from two (2) Notices of Certification.  Refusal of consideration from the third (3rd) Notice of Certification shall result in the removal of the eligible's name from that eligible list and all other lists in that class.  The non-selection by the department of an available eligible shall not be recorded as a refusal.

Additional Job Ad Notes for Firefighter

https://sf-fire.org/join.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:  All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Someone is fully vaccinated when 14 days have passed since they received the final dose of a two-shot vaccine or a dose of a one-shot vaccine. Any new hire must present proof of full vaccination status to be appointed. Any new hire who will be routinely assigned or occasionally enter High-Risk Settings, must provide proof of having received a COVID-19 booster vaccine by March 1, 2022, or once eligible.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.